University brings Easter joy to sick and disadvantaged children

Emily Brasher and Kayleigh Knowlson (third and fourth from left, respectively) with nurses from Bristol Children’s Hospital and a display of donated Easter eggs

29 April 2014

Staff and students donated 572 Easter eggs to sick and disadvantaged children in a collection organised by University staff over the recent festive period.

The initial intention was to donate all of the eggs to the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, but such was the response that two local charities - the Rainbow Centre and the Community of the Sisters of the Church, Bristol - were selected to receive the surplus donations. Two hundred and fifty eggs went to the Children’s Hospital; 172 to the Rainbow Centre, which provides free therapy and support to children and their families affected by life threatening illness and bereavement; and 150 to the Sisters of the Church, whose members offer the use of their convent to social services to allow for supervised visits between parents and their children who are in care. The convent is also used as a refuge for women and children who are homeless, or the victims of domestic violence.

In a letter of thanks from the Sisters of the Church, Sister Hilda Mary and Sister Rosina said that the donation would make a big difference to needy families and homeless people on Easter Sunday. ‘Most Sunday afternoons we see up to 200 people’, they said. ‘It is always good to give something special.’

Emily Brasher, from the Graduate School of Education, who organised the collection along with colleague Kayleigh Knowlson in Maintenance Services, said: ‘Donations started pouring in from staff and students across the University soon after we made the appeal. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome, and would like to thank everyone who made a donation.’